The one called YOUNG L!O, may not be very young anymore and yet his constantly overflowing energy electrifies the crowds. Of
Cameroonian origin, he lived in Paris, then Dakar, but it is in “Babi” that he settled with a new label, that of resident DJ and Co-Founder
of the festival “LA SUNDAY”, now a must for thousands of music and good vibes lovers. Lionel is also one of the partners of this super
trendy bar known for its big pink portal, whose the name will please you, the “BAAZAR”. He tours local and pan-African events, and we
love that he regularly shares superb playlists such as the “Spécial Koffi Olomidé” or “Night Shift”, live mixes on his Instagram account.
But who is really this troublemaker and decks ge nius?
WHO ARE YOU ?
Young Lio or simply Lionel. Cameroonian DJ and advertiser living in Abidjan who grew up in Cameroon and France.
DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR 1st TIME BEHIND THE DECKS ?
It was in 2015 for a friend’s birthday in Paris. I was afraid that I couldn’t mix well and that I might screw it up! My biggest fear was that I would miss my transitions and not have enough music to make the crowd dance.
DO YOU EMBRACE A SPECIFIC MUSICAL GENRE ?
ARE YOU A MIXTAPE DJ ? OR A CLUB DJ ?
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE “YOUNG LIO”?
When I started mixing I’d play some hip hop / rap / R’n’B and I slowly evolved towards a mix of 80% afro and R’n’B. I’m more of a day party DJ or a DJ who wants to give an experience to the people who listen and dance to my music. An experience, in the sense that they will listen to several musical styles and they will tell themselves that everything blends in when it’s well mixed. Young Lio is DJ who wants to spark the curiosity of those who listen to his mixes.
I try to incorporate songs in my mixes that are not necessarily known. That’s why mixing at a day party is more fun for me than mixing in a club.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU BRING TO THE AFRICAN MUSIC SCENE ?
I’d like to show that today, more than before, a DJ is an artist, a person who can tell whether a beat works or not. A DJ is a person who has a significant impact on the success of a track. As far as the African music scene is concerned, I’d really like African artists to collaborate more with each other and if I can contribute to that it would be really cool.
WHAT DOES “LA VIE EN ROSE” MEAN TO YOU ?
For me, « La vie en rose » simply represents the fact that I always see the positive side of life. It’s true that pink is a nice, soft colour.
It’s a colour that makes you want to be optimistic, synonymous with love. Beyond the colour, it also refers to the fact that you must always strive to move forward!
Instagram : @jeunelio
